Fundraising continues to build accommodation for carers at new Eurobodalla hospital

The building of a new hospital takes several years, and one organisation is fundraising now for accommodation alongside the traditional hospital setting.

President of the Carers Accommodation Eurobodalla Regional Hospital Inc. (CAERH) Rob Pollock said he wasn’t surprised at how the shire was coming together to support the project.

“This community’s been, always, fantastic about helping itself.

“With causes that people can recognise and see the real need for, the community’s more than come forward.”

Once completed, the accommodation is expected to feature 18 self-contained units available for those staying on the hospital precinct.

“[This is] whether they be carers or whether they be patients that might be waiting for surgery or have had surgery and need to stay onsite for a day or two just so their needs and examinations are met.”

The first stage will feature six units, with two stages of six to follow.

The CAERH committee were inspired by the similar accommodation operating at the South East Regional Hospital in Bega, Mr Pollock said.

“There’s obviously a need for that [in the Eurobodalla Shire], so like-minded people have got together, formed a committee and we’re going ahead now with fundraising and planning to get the carers accommodation established.”

Several community organisations have donated money from recent fundraisers, including the Moruya Jockey Club, the Night Owl Quilters Inc. South Coast and the local branches of Rotary and Lions Clubs.

“It’s a whole community effort,” Mr Pollock said.

The CAERH committee includes representatives from the Narooma, Batemans Bay and Eurobodalla Rotary Clubs, as well as the Lions Clubs of Narooma and Batemans Bay.

“It’s delightful to work with people that are all sharing the vision, seeing the need, and are prepared to join in and work to get it all established.”

The campaign for the carers accommodation followed an earlier fundraising campaign for an oncology unit at the Moruya Hospital, with similar groups participating again, he said.

“In that case, we raised over $280,000 from within the community.”

Mr Pollock said he believed the accommodation would make hard times a little easier for those staying at the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital once it opened.

“I think you’ve got to start from the point that anybody who’s receiving treatment or services in a hospital is already suffering a lot of disruption.”

The proposed accommodation would suit individuals and families in a range of situations.

“If you’ve got folk with children receiving treatment or necessary care, the last thing they would want to do is be separated by any great distance from them.

“By having this type of facility onsite, it certainly should make what could be a very traumatic experience a little less of a problem.”

CAERH will “shortly” form a memorandum of understanding with NSW Health and will start negotiating with the successful tenderer for the project once they are announced.

Those looking to fundraise on behalf of the project or to donate directly to it can contact Mr Pollock on 0427 735 375 for more information.